COVID-19 Vaccine

DPH greatly appreciates the partnership of health care providers and organizations to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to their patient population and their surrounding community members.

It is now easier to enroll and provide COVID-19 vaccinations –

• Ultralow freezers are not required
• Vaccine can be ordered in small quantities
• Providers never need to miss a vaccination opportunity because of fear of vaccine wastage – some vaccine wastage is to be expected
• Grants are available for providers enrolled in the Vaccines for Children program
• Extensive support is available for start-up and beyond. DPH can offer one on one assistance with the enrollment process.

To learn more, view the flyers for Adult and Prenatal Providers and Pediatric Providers.

Detailed information regarding enrollment processes for joining the California COVID-19 Vaccination Program can be found at: https://eziz.org/covid/enrollment/.  The DPH Vaccination Partner Checklist has information and resources for providers offering COVID-19 vaccine.

Providers cannot charge any out-of-pocket cost for COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine must be made available at no cost to all individuals to ensure equitable access. Denying anyone vaccination or reducing appointments based on the person’s insurance status, charging for an office visit or other fee (if COVID-19 vaccination is the sole medical service provided), requiring additional medical services to receive COVID-19 vaccination, or seeking any additional reimbursement, including through balance billing from the vaccine recipient, is prohibited.

The loss of the HRSA COVID-19 Uninsured Program funding may prove a challenge to serving your neediest community members. Public Health is working hard to advocate with the federal and state government on your behalf. In the meantime, here are some considerations and resources to assist providers:

• Providers may be able to bill Medicare, Medi-Cal or private insurance to obtain reimbursement for administering vaccines, and through other available mechanisms for the uninsured, where appropriate
• California’s Department of Health Care Services will accept claims for individuals enrolled in the COVID-19 Uninsured Group Program. Individuals must apply for the COVID-19 Uninsured Group Program through a Medi-Cal Qualified Provider in the following programs: Presumptive Eligibility for Pregnant Women, Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program, Hospital Presumptive Eligibility, and Child Health and Disability Prevention. Providers must submit applications via the COVID-19 Uninsured Group Application Portal.
• Providers may refer any patient to a walk-in community vaccination site – they can visit the How to Get a Vaccine webpage or call the DPH Call Center at 833-540-0473 which is open 7 days a week from 8:00am-8:30pm for appointment or referral assistance
• Providers may wish to hold onto records for possible future claim submission should the HRSA Uninsured Program receive funding and begin accepting claims, or another source of funding is established.
• Billing and reimbursement webinar (4-29-22) from the California Department of Public Health and California Medical Association  Slides and recording.